Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Panthers netminder puts blames team’s defense, Twitter-gate and Lightning/Oilers talking trade?

Atlantic Division

• Lou Lamoriello is quick to give credit to many other people for his induction into the Hall of Fame tonight.  This season under new coach Jacques Lemaire, Jamie Langenbrunner has seen his role change in New Jersey.
• Brian Leetch is going to be the 45th Rangers player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight and he may be the best Ranger yet, writes Michael Obernauer.  It appears that the Rangers have lost Brandon Dubinsky for three weeks to a hand injury.
• The reason the Flyers are better this year than last is because of the team’s improved defensive corps.  The team’s recent success can somewhat be attributed to Scott Hartnell reestablishing the team’s net presence.
• The Penguins know they haven’t been playing well lately, but the team is not going to start using injuries as an excuse.  Sure injuries are no excuse, but losing Kris Letang to a suspected upper-body injury won’t help.

Northeast Division

• One of the reasons for the Bruins’ successful power play on Saturday was a strong practice the day before.
• Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has changed his approach this season, writes Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News.
• Dave Stubbs recaps the Alan Walsh Twitter controversy in this morning’s Montreal Gazette.  Meanwhile, Glen Metropolit blew away fans with his stylish accuracy display yesterday morning.
• The Senators players know that they have to start taking less penalties.  Senators prospect Erik Karlsson seems to be taking his demotion to the AHL a lot better than he did when the move first happened.  Three of Ottawa’s significant off-season acquisitons, Pascal Leclaire, Alexei Kovalev and Jonathan Cheechoo, have not played up to par so far this season.
• Jonas Gustavsson is giving Leafs fans hope the Brian Burke’s plan will pay off, writes David Shoalts.  John Mitchell knows the opportunity being presented to him by Ron Wilson and doesn’t want to waste it.  Does Mitchell’s promotion mean Stajan’s demotion?

Southeast Division

• The Thrashers halted a four-game losing streak last night with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Blues.  Maybe part of the Thrashers’ success can be attributed to the team’s shuffled offensive line combinations and defensive pairings.
• News keeps gettings worse for Carolina, as they lost netminder Cam Ward for at least 3-4 weeks.  As a result of Ward’s injury, the Hurricanes have signed Manny Legace.
• Scott Clemmensen may not make many new friends in the Panthers locker room after his comments about the team’s poor defensive play.
• Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has great respect for Ryan Craig as a hockey player and a person.  Meanwhile, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune says the Oilers have been scouting the Lightning–possibly to acquire a defenseman.